A faith-based civil society organisation, CSO, the Independent Hajj Reporters, IHR, has urged state governments to harmonise protection for the 2026 pilgrims as pre-airlift preparations begin.
In a statement, the IHR national coordinator Ibrahim Muhammad warned that pilgrims criss-crossing states to reach orientation camps and departure airports need proactive, unified security to foil threats.
He called for joint state–security teams to monitor movements from homes to transit camps and embarkation points, stressing that isolated efforts leave gaps.
The group also advised the State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, SMPWBs to brief intending travellers on basic security hygiene—spotting risks, obeying Saudi guidelines, and avoiding the spread of unverified alerts.
It cited last year’s arrest of wanted bandits at a Hajj camp in 2025 as a near-miss that must not repeat.
IHR cautioned pilgrims against travelling in large convoys with non-travelling relatives, a practice that can draw unwanted attention.
The appeal aims to synchronise state actions before the first flights for 2026 Hajj get under way.
